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Microsoft and the impact the have had on console gaming
Topic Started: Nov 13 2010, 11:07 PM (515 Views)
sushi_b
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Just got to thinking about how Microsoft has wedged their way into the console gaming world. It's getting close to 10 years now since they have first jumped in and tried to roll the dice. They have turned around the first generation try with the Xbox into a much more successful campaign with the current 360.


What do you think helped make Microsoft more fan friendly? Being completely honest, Microsoft has had to work pretty hard to win over the masses as they were not well received in the being. Was the Xbox something you bought into and did you like it?


I know I wasn't initially convinced by Microsoft and I quickly grew tired of all the Halo talk. I think the first thing that really got me on board was seeing them get SEGA exclusives shortly after the Dreamcast was on it's way out. Panzer Dragoon Orta looked amazing and I knew I couldn't pass that game up. There was also Shenmue II (which I couldn't get for DC), Jet Set Radio Future and others. Later came Ninja Gaiden, which is by far one of the best Xbox titles. I became much less harsh on the Xbox (although it was still only generally marketing it's self to the shooter and sports gamer crowd).

Thoughts from others?
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Kharnivore2099
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I got my xbox in 2004, if i remember correctly.

I started with the ps2 because i was a big fan of the ps1 and the backwards compatibility and DVD player was a no brainer. The fact that all my friends went for ps2 was also a deciding factor, no point in me being the only one i knew with xbox whilst all my friends swap games on thier ps2's etc. My ps2 was always buggy though, hence why i hold such disdain for the system. It got sent for numerous repairs but the DVD player would always fail and some of the graphics would glitch a lot, especially in the GTA games.

Eventually GTA: San andreas was the nail in the coffin for my ps2 and i sold all my games for a shiny new xbox. Immediatley i was impressed, by the size mostly haha. I got it with KOTOR and i was hooked from the first minute. The original controller had always put me off, but the newer, smaller version is one of my favourite pads ever.

I never had a lot of games for it, but the ones i had were fantastic and i soon managed to convert some friends to the dark side after thier ps2's broke. Other than my master system II, it is the most reliable console i've ever owned. Never had a game crash, never had it glitch in any games.

I have a lot of time for this console and i believe its only downfall was that you HAD to buy the remote to watch dvd's...thats just a scam in my eyes. I still havent watched a dvd on it yet haha.

I didnt even mention the modding possibilities! My girlfriends xbox has been soft modded so we can play ps1, n64, snes, megadrive etc games on it. Nothing like having a slagging match with your missus over bomberman 3 to bring you closer together. ;)
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sushi_b
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Microsoft did some pretty good things to lead into the even better 360. I think they were able to get fans through all the shooters and sports in particular and carry them over to the next generation. There really are some pretty die hard MS followers (something that is surprising to think since so many people complain about MS and Windows).

I think they have tried to branch out with things like the Live Arcade, various genres and of course Live. I never used live on the original Xbox, but I've heard that it was actually quite good for its time and has gotten much better.

Microsoft has done much more then I ever would have expected in the game industry. I think realistically most people believed they were only getting in to make a quick buck but they have come around. I think my personal opinion has changed a lot on them, more positively, and I don't have nearly as much resentment towards them as when they first started.
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Kharnivore2099
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I never used live with the original xbox either but current xbl is just amazing, i'd rather there was just prices instead of the points system but i see why its there. It's helped breathe new life into more classic style games like shmups, 2D platformers and puzzle games that just wouldn't have a chance otherwise

The only people i hear complaining about microsoft are usually the mac users...and anyone thats struggling on with vista. Then again, i know much more peole that complain about apple, but most of my friends are apple haters so they are just a little bit biased haha.

Also, i spoke of the original Xbox controller and didnt even mention the xbox 360 controller. After using it i just cant use he anologe sticks on a playstation now, it feels so odd and uncomfortable, even in short sessions.

I think its pretty smart that they havent tried the handheld market yet either. Though a portable device to play my downloaded xbl games would be nice, microsoft...(hint hint)
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sushi_b
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Microsoft really did need time to get to know the community that they were suddenly jumping into. I think that the original Xbox's first controller really showed that. It was a huge bulky design which morphed into the S controller and finally to what we have on the 360.

As you said Kharn, I like the 360 controller quite a bit. It's got a nice feeling and weight to it. Everything feels tight on it and the inclusion of the top bumper buttons instead of the old black and white fit better. It's a solid design, and the new one with the modified d-pad seems pretty slick too.

I haven't used Live for anything other then some online gaming once in a while, long story as to why I can't get anything on Live for purchase and it's got nothing to do with my system being modded.

I think that the original Xbox won't likely be fondly remembered quite like the 360 probably will once it is finally replaced in a few years to come. The Xbox is basically just remembered as a bulky, noisy monster that challenged and failed against the "weaker" PS2. I don't totally like the Xbox to be honest, but it's impact on this current gen and at the time is pretty significant.
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hooflung128
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I think Live and funny enough the modchip community really made Microsoft's cling on the console industry what it is today. Live was established and people were using it on the original xbox. The modchips made the original xbox not only a pirate's dream come true, but it made every day joe's dreams come true as well. The ability to swap out to a larger hard disk to put your legit games on, the ability to turn the machine into a media streamer, and the ability to put a 1.1ghz tulatin cpu upgrade made it very flexible.

The 360's BC only is missing a few titles, some good ones too. However, you can play Kotor on the 360 and the Halo's. So the 360's library technically is deeper than on first glance.

As for the future of gaming, Microsoft took Xband to the next level. Live might have not been the first or the last online service but it is arguably the best. Sony's dashboard is the evolution of their Home Theater equipment dashboards. Wii's is there version of Live. PSN is sony's answer to Live marketplace.

In the 8th generation of systems, the online community and social connectivity will be the thing that differentiates between consoles not hardware specs. Microsoft, again, didn't invent this shift but they brought it to fruition.
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